Open Call: PAMLA’s Journal, Pacific Coast Philology Co-Editor Position

Pacific Coast Philology, PAMLA’s journal, is currently looking for candidates for a General Co-Editor position. Please contact us by March 31 if you or someone you know wishes to be considered for this position. Candidates will be interviewed, considered, and then voted on by the full PAMLA Executive Committee. The new co-editor will work closely with our current co-editor, as well as the full PAMLA Executive Committee, and may serve renewable three-year terms. The scope of Pacific Coast Philology spans the full range of literature and media research and critical analysis, including approaches that make use of multiple analytical methodologies, such as cross-disciplinary perspectives and related fields of study, as well as innovations from other humanities disciplines. National and international perspectives are welcome.

The journal seeks to appoint a Co-Editor with a strong academic background and publishing experience, as well as the time, passion, and knowledge to drive the journal forward in an exciting period of change. Being able to work productively and collegially with an existing editor is a key quality for interested applicants. Together, the two General Editors lead and take responsibility for maintaining the timeline of the journal, collaborating with each other to equitably manage the different facets of the process. The General Editors oversee all special issues or symposia, ensuring that the journal maintains its contractual obligations with Penn State University Press, including publishing two issues of the journal annually on schedule. The General Editors must respond to emails from interested parties–authors, Penn State UP staff, the Editorial Committee, peer reviewers, the Executive Director, and others in a prompt and professional manner. General editors are appointed for renewable three-year terms, in accordance with the PAMLA Constitution (https://www.pamla.org/about/constitution-bylaws/):

The General Editor(s) perform(s) the managerial duties as described in the agreement with Penn State University Press, including soliciting essays; appointing a book review editor; organizing the nomination and election of an editorial board [12-15 scholars or professionals]…. The General Editor(s) of the regular issue and the guest editor(s) of the special issues perform(s) or oversee(s) all editorial functions, including ensuring peer-review of essays; communicating with authors about receipt and decisions with respect to manuscripts’ acceptances; and preparing manuscripts according to Penn State University Press guidelines. The General Editor(s) sit(s) on the Executive Committee in an ex officio capacity, making annual reports on the production and finances of the journal and presenting proposals concerning the journal.

The successful candidate will be responsible, working with their co-editor and in cooperation and communication with the Editorial Committee, the Editorial Board, and the PAMLA Executive Committee, for the editorial oversight of the journal, including: coordinating the peer-review process, working with the Editorial Board and Editorial Committee to assist with peer-review coordination, communicating promptly with all stake-holders (potential authors, peer reviewers, Penn State University Press leadership, special issue editors, the Editorial Committee, PAMLA’s Executive Director, the PAMLA Board, and the Book Review Editor), and commissioning high quality submissions to the journal. Together, the two General Editors will uphold the highest standards of scholarship for the journal, and will ensure that reviewers and authors adhere to the Journal’s Code of Publishing Ethics.

Should you be chosen, the PAMLA Editorial Committee, Executive Director, and Executive Committee will support you in all aspects of the role. For the successful candidate, there will be a six-month on-boarding process in which the current editor will help train the incoming co-editor in the various facets of the job. Penn State University Press and your co-editor will provide training and support on all editorial processes and systems, including the journal online editorial office system, Editorial Manager, which manages the journal’s peer-review process.

Becoming the editor of a journal is a rewarding and fulfilling experience. You will be able to support the intellectual culture of our community, promoting scholars by allowing them to share their important work with others. In this process, you will build your networks, encourage research that you are passionate about, and be recognized as a leading figure within the academic community. It is a significant role, with a high profile, and will provide a strong basis for growth in your career and intellectual life.

Key Skills and Attributes:

  • Experience in academic publishing and familiarity with all stages of the process.
  • The capacity to devote time each week to the role, and to attend Editorial Committee meetings and training sessions as needed.
  • The ability to ensure all submitted manuscripts are considered in a prompt, consistent, and professional manner.
  • The ability to use an online peer review management system and ensure members of the editorial team do the same.
  • The ability to work effectively with independent peer reviewers.
  • The ability to read, summarize, and make decisions based on independent reviewer reports.
  • A commitment to communicating promptly, consistently, and professionally with authors during the peer review process.
  • The ability to problem-solve, working closely and communicating transparently with the Editorial Committee, Penn State UP staff, Executive Director, and PAMLA Executive Committee, when scheduling issues, editorial controversies or problems, or other significant issues arise, to maintain our publishing commitments with the journal.
  • A commitment to engaging promptly and efficiently with the PAMLA Editorial Committee, Executive Director, Executive Committee, and Penn State University Press to implement necessary processes and improvements.
  • A strong commitment to ethical rigor as well as knowledge of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines and commitment to ensure that the journal adheres to strict ethical standards at all times.
  • Active involvement in growing and developing your academic networks through conference attendance and the ability to grow such networks through social media.
  • Marketing and advertising the journal by scheduling special sessions at the annual PAMLA conference, and through other means, such as working with Penn State UP on advertising the journal, and with PAMLA’s Executive Director or their designee on regular stories on PAMLA’s website, and through social media posts and PAMLA emails to members.
  • A vision and enthusiasm for the continuous development of the journal.

Submitting your application for General Editor:

Apply now for the position of Pacific Coast Philology’s General Co-Editor by sending your CV and a vision statement to Yolanda Doub, Nominating Committee chair: [email protected]

Please use the Subject line: Pacific Coast Philology Editor Application

If you have any questions concerning the position, please email Yolanda Doub or Craig Svonkin: [email protected] or [email protected] .

Your vision statement should be no longer than three pages and should cover:

  • Why are you interested in serving as co-editor of Pacific Coast Philology?
  • Where you believe the field is going, and the journal’s place within it
  • How you would work in partnership with the Editorial Board, Executive Committee and Executive Director
  • How you would maintain and increase the quality of submissions
  • How you would work with authors

Applications for this position are due by March 31, 2024.

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PAMLA and its journal are committed to ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion within its editorial community and decision-making processes. All applications will be treated as strictly confidential, and each will be judged on its merits. We do not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or protected veteran status, citizenship, or other protected characteristics.